Ten Facts About Cooperstown, New York
Virtually every baseball fan knows that the Baseball Hall of Fame is in Cooperstown, New York. But what do we know about Cooperstown, N.Y.? I’ve been to Cooperstown a couple of times, though it’s been nearly twenty years since I’ve had the opportunity to visit the Hall of Fame. I thought I might take a few minutes to see what kind of information I could uncover about Cooperstown. Here are some facts I’ve decided to share with you:
Cooperstown, New York (Photo credit: Dougtone)
1) Cooperstown is not named for the writer, James Fenimore Cooper (although the author did live and pen some of his stories, such as “The Last of the Mohicans,” in Cooperstown. It is actually named for his father, William Cooper, who founded this town in the late 1780’s (though it first became officially incorporated in 1812.)
2) Cooperstown Dreams Park was established in 1996, and the Youth Baseball League it serves features up to 1,350 teams competing per season. The season lasts from the end of May until the end of August.
3) The population of Cooperstown is 1,833, down nearly ten percent since the year 2000. The population of Cooperstown is 91% white. There are six black families and one resident of full-blooded Native-American ancestry. Females outnumber males 55% to 45%. There is one registered sex offender in town limits.
4) About one-quarter of the people of Cooperstown walk to work. That’s very cool, except in the winter.
5) Approximately 35% of the population are affiliated with a religious congregation. Nationally, about 51% of Americans are affiliated with a particular religious congregation. A plurality in Cooperstown are Catholics (43%.)
6) The most common first name among deceased individuals in Cooperstown is Mary. The most common last name among deceased individuals is Smith. I would suggest that if your name is Mary Smith, you might want to avoid Cooperstown. On the other hand, you would have a life expectancy of 81.5 years old.
7) The first speeding ticket issued in Cooperstown was given out in 1906.
8) No one born in Cooperstown has ever played Major League baseball.
9) Company G of the 176th Infantry Regiment of New York was recruited from Otsego County (in which Cooperstown is located), as well as a few of the other surrounding counties. They saw action in Virginia, North Carolina and Louisiana. The majority of casualties this regiment suffered occurred at the Battle of Cedar Creek in Virginia in 1864.
10) The last public hanging in Cooperstown took place in December 1827. The man condemned to death was a first cousin of James Fenimore Cooper named Levi Kelley, convicted of killing his tenant, Abraham Spafard. While the hangman was putting the noose around Kelley’s neck, the grandstand collapsed under the weight of the crowd of onlookers, killing one person and mortally wounding another. The execution, however, went on as scheduled.
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The On Deck Circle 
Here’s a question–who is the Hall of Famer born the closest to Cooperstown? I’m guessing it’s either Johny Evers or George Davis, but I’m spit-balling here.
That’s a great question. An entire series can be done of HOF’ers from those born closest to Cooperstown to those born furthest away. But yeah, several players from upstate New York in baseball history, especially in the earlier days.
I did a quick check–it might be Muggsy McGraw, whose birthplace is less than 70 miles as the crow flies from Cooperstown.
Nice info. if it’s going to be anyone, Muggsy is a deserving candidate.
Thanks for checking that out,
Bill
I think Votto will enter into that “greatest” discussion in a few years. I’ve never seen a batter with better plate discipline than Votto. And oh yeh, Kemba Walker-Charlotte Bobcats. That guy got some shake.
Yup, Votto will definitely be at or near the top by the time he’s all done.
I loved Cooperstown. We hope to get back there again this summer.
http://mlblogscubden.wordpress.com/
No doubt about it, every baseball fan should try to get up there at least once in their lives. I’d love to go again.
Thanks,
Bill
Just wanted to let you know I added your blog to my blog-roll.
-Bill
Number 10 is amazing, and an incredible parable.
Yeah, it was my favorite, too. Quite a story.
Take care,
Bill
Adding to number 8, there were 14 major league players with the last name Cooper. The entire list has a home next to a stumper book.
I’ll take Cecil Cooper for $500 dollars, Alex.
Thanks, Steve
-Bill
I was looking at this other Cooper who played 18 years; one more than Cecil. He went by the name Walker Cooper and put together a decent career and as a catcher to boot, but Cecil’s 1980 season kinda sticks out as one of the best in recent memory and go figure, cooop was overshadowed by Brett’s monster season that same year. Sort of like 1941; Williams and Dimaggio.
The Walker Cooper’s of the world make the baseball universe go ’round. He was a good one.
-Bill
Walker Cooper. Now that’s a name, more catchy than Marco Polo especially with OB% finally making its way to the top.
There should be a top ten list of all the people who’ve ever been named Walker. I’d add Depression-era photographer Walker Evans to the list.
Greg Walker. I’m amazed who becomes hitting instructors. I wonder if being mediocre or less at the plate is a requirement. The players who thrive don’t bother analyzing as much with Williams and Helton being exceptions.
T-Bone Walker. They call it Stormy Monday, but Tuesday’s just as bad.
Jimmy JJ Walker from the sitcom Good Times say “Dynamite!”
Larry Walker, of course. Greatest Canadian baseball player ever, other than perhaps Fergie Jenkins.